Well-known conductor DePreist dies

PORTLAND, Ore. — One of the early African-American conductors of a major orchestra and National Medal of Arts winner James DePreist has died at age 76.

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Posted Feb. 8, 2013 at 3:55 PM
Updated Feb 8, 2013 at 6:55 PM

Posted Feb. 8, 2013 at 3:55 PM
Updated Feb 8, 2013 at 6:55 PM

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PORTLAND, Ore. — One of the early African-American conductors of a major orchestra and National Medal of Arts winner James DePreist has died at age 76.

His manager, Jason Bagdade, says DePreist died at home Friday in Scottsdale, Ariz.

DePreist's wife, Ginette DePreist, told The Oregonian her husband had been in and out of the hospital since a massive heart attack last March followed by open-heart surgery. He also had a history of kidney disease

DePreist was director emeritus of The Juilliard School's conducting program in New York. He was the Oregon Symphony's music director from 1980 until 2003, transforming it from a part-time group into a full-time professional ensemble. He was music director and conductor of Britt Festival's classical concerts from 1988-92. DePreist also led orchestras in Quebec, Monte Carlo, Tokyo and Malmo, Sweden.

He was the nephew of the celebrated contralto Marian Anderson, who died in 1993.